Living organisms have several characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things. The acronym "MRS GREN" is used to help remember the seven characteristics of living organisms:
Movement
Movement is a significant feature of living organisms. It occurs when a living organism moves a body part without changing its position.
Locomotor movements are body movements that cause the body to move from one place to another. Non-locomotor movements are body movements that do not involve moving from one place to another. (In Animals)
Movement releases endorphins and helps relieve stress. It also helps emotions move through our bodies and allows us to take a break from everyday challenges and responsibilities.
Exercise can help improve muscle strength and endurance. When you exercise, your muscles are stressed, which causes them to adapt and get stronger. This process is called hypertrophy.
Tropic movements
These are growth movements that occur in response to environmental stimuli. They are caused by root and shoot growth and are usually caused by external factors like light, temperature, gravity, and water. There are six known types of tropic movement: phototropism, gravitropism, chemotropism, thigmotropism, thermotropism, and hydrotropism.
Nastic movements
These are plant movements that occur in response to environmental stimuli, but the direction of the response is not dependent on the direction of the stimulus. Nastic movements are generally caused by elastic changes in the size of special motor cells within the plant tissue.
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition